23 Tips and Tricks to Save Money at Target

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Learn 23 tips and tricks to help you get more for your money every time you shop at your local Target store or on Target.com.

Frequent shoppers know that there are big savings to be found down every aisle -- whether you need to pick up a few groceries, stock up on health and beauty supplies or redecorate your home. Read on to learn how to save money at Target.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

1. Get to know the markdown schedule

Most retailers have a pattern for marking down items, and Target is no different. Generally,

Monday is when you'll see prices reduced on electronics,

Tuesday is women's clothing,

Wednesday's the time to stock up on health and beauty items,

Thursday is all about housewares, and

Friday's perfect for jewelry lovers.

2. Shop early in the week

Grocery stores usually start their sales on Wednesday, but Target kicks theirs off on Sunday each week. The earlier you can hit the store, the better, since sale items may be running low by the time Thursday or Friday rolls around.

3. Download the Cartwheel app

The Cartwheel app, available at no charge for iPhone and Android users, is a hassle-free way to trim a few extra bucks off your next Target trip. The app features offers on hundreds of items throughout the store that you can combine with manufacturer coupons at the register.

4. Make a smart list

Some things tend to be better deals at Target than others, and you don’t want to forget to pick up an item and spend more money than you have to at the grocery store. A few of the items you'll want to add to your shopping list include coffeemakers, paper products, frozen foods and snacks – all of which tend to be less expensive at Target than the supermarket.

MAKE THE MOST OF COUPONS

5. Seek out the best discounts

When you're rounding up coupons you can use in the store, don't limit your search efforts to the weekly ads in the Sunday paper. You should also check out sites like CreditDonkey, and, of course, Target.com. Also be sure to use a credit card when you do shop at Target as you’ll be more likely to receive (pardon the pun) targeted coupons in the mail.

6. Double up on coupon savings

Target recently made some changes to its coupon policy that benefit savvy shoppers. You're now allowed to apply one manufacturer's coupon and one Target coupon to the same item for even more savings. That includes coupons good for Buy One, Get One Free deals.

7. Max out coupon limits

Currently, you can use four identical coupons per household, per day, for the same item. If you like to stockpile certain items while they're on sale, like cleaning products or toilet paper, that's an easy way to get them for less.

8. Get coupons on the go

In addition to offering printable coupons you can use in the store, Target shoppers can have mobile versions sent directly to their phone. It's free to sign up for text coupon alerts, but standard messaging rates do apply.

WHILE YOU’RE SHOPPING

9. Do your homework on prices

Just because an item is advertised in the Target weekly flier doesn’t mean you’re getting a big deal if you buy it. The front and back covers of the circular tend to have the real “steals,” while some of the pages inside have minimal discounts. That’s not to say you shouldn’t buy those items — but just be price conscious, especially with costlier items.

10. Learn to decode clearance prices

The way a clearance item is priced should give you an idea of whether the price will drop again. If the price ends in $0.06 or $0.08, odds are it'll be marked down again. On the other hand, if it ends in $0.04, the price won't go any lower.

11. Also know what to avoid

One tactic Target does well is lure shoppers into spending more than they intended. They get in a shopping mode and seem to lose some of their spending discipline (some call it the bull’s-eye effect). While Target has lower prices on certain products, others can be found for less at other retailers. If you're shopping for furniture, exercise equipment, movies or CDs, you could save more by buying them somewhere else. Do some comparison shopping ahead of time and plan to avoid those sections of the store if you can.

12. Run the numbers on the discount

Target typically marks items down anywhere from 15% to 70%. A quick look at the upper right hand corner of the red clearance tag will tell you just how much has been knocked off the price.

13. Scope out the store for clearance hotspots

Clearance items can be found throughout the store, but certain zones are more likely to feature deals than others. Within departments, look at the end of the aisle for marked-down items, especially in sections like toys, home décor, and school supplies.

14. Browse the dollar section

Forget the dollar store; the best place to snag bargains these days is the Target One Spot. Items found here tend to be seasonal and you can find everything from Valentine's Day treats to school supplies to stocking stuffers. Don’t go crazy with the low dollar figures, and be sure to understand what you’re getting. Some quantities are small just to keep the price down, and some items are priced $3.

15. Get bonuses with Shopkick

Shopkick is a rewards app that lets you earn discounts, coupons, and bonuses while you're in a particular store. Users earn "kicks" or points just for walking in the door, and you can earn extra points for scanning certain items with your phone. Once you reach a set number of kicks, you can redeem them for a Target gift card.

16. Keep an eye out for free gift card deals

Target routinely runs a number of in-store and online promotions. One of the most popular involves free gift cards when you buy certain items. Gift cards typically range from $2 to $25, which is an easy way to score some free money towards your next purchase.

17. Pay with your REDCard

Target offers two versions of its REDCard, and using either one is a great way to save on everything you buy. Whether you use the debit version or the regular credit card, you'll get a 5% discount on in-store and online purchases, plus free shipping through Target.com. You may find one of these cards will benefit you if you are a frequent Target shopper, or you may be better off with a more general cash back credit card with a lower interest rate. Either way, using plastic is a way to save at Target, as long as you pay off your balance each month to avoid interest charges.

18. Earn rewards on prescriptions

If you normally use your neighborhood drugstore for your prescription needs, you might want to consider switching them over to Target. The Pharmacy Rewards program allows you to earn a 5% off reward coupon for every five eligible prescriptions you make, and you can pair it up with the 5% discount you get for using your REDCard.

19. Get free samples

If there's a new product you've been wanting to try but you're not sure about spending the extra cash, you can check out the Target Sample Spot to see if any freebies are available. You'll have to enter your mailing address and fill out a quick survey to make sure you qualify. Delivery takes about 3 to 5 weeks and you're limited to 1 per household.

20. Bring your own bags

Recycling and reusing are not only good for the environment, they also help your wallet. For every reusable bag you use when you shop, Target will reward you with a 5-cent discount, which can add up to some nice savings over time if you’re a Target fanatic.

AFTER YOUR PURCHASE

21. Scan the competitors’ sale ads

Nothing is more annoying than buying something at one store and seeing it on sale somewhere else a week later. Fortunately, Target offers a price-match guarantee if you see an item for less advertised online or in a competitor's sales ad within 7 days of purchase.

22. Hang on to your receipts

If you see something you bought at Target on sale at a different store but the 7-day window for the price-match guarantee has expired, you may still be able to save. As long as you have your receipt, you can return unopened items for a refund within 90 days (up to one year for some store-branded items). REDCard members get an extra 30 days, which is another excellent reason to use it.

23. Be mindful of return limits

Target's return policy is fairly generous but there are some limitations to remember. If you don't have a receipt, you're limited to $75 worth of returns per year. Electronics and entertainment items must be returned within 30 days.

Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Please support CreditDonkey on our mission to help you make savvy decisions. Our free online service is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content.

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